Main
Anran Zhao
I am a Ph.D candidate who is passionate about quantitative analysis of educational data. I have experience in analysing international large-scale assessment data, factor analysis as well as item response theory.
Education
PhD. Candidate, Education
The University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand
Current - 2017
- The research topic focuses on the plausible causes in differential performance: The case of Shanghai vs. New Zealand on PISA 2012. Two hypotheses were raised: a) the elite status of Shanghai population is not comparable with a country; b) students from Shanghai exhibit high test-taking motivation for tests that are high-stakes for their country.
MA, Education
China Agricultural University
Beijing, China
2015 - 2013
- Thesis: A comparison of art curriculumn between China and the United States in K12.
BA, Civil Engineering
China Agricultural University
Beijing, China
2013 - 2009
- Designed various building plans for the dairy farm agricultural industry.
BA, Economics (Minor)
China Agricultural University
Beijing, China
2013 - 2009
Research Experience
Research Assistant
Quant Dare
The University of Auckland
Oct.2020 - Sep.2020
- Multivariate data analysis and data visulisation for creative school index.
Research Assistant
N/A
The University of Auckland
Jul.2020 - May.2020
- Conducted systematic literature searches, complied spreadsheets of contents for a review study on teaching and learning of writing.
Research Assistant
Quant Dare
The University of Auckland
Aug.2018
- Independently analyzed statistical models of students’ conceptions of assessment inventory for Portuguese higher education institutional data.
Teaching Experience
I am also passionate about teaching. The interaction that happens in the classroom is intelectually stimulating and rewarding.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
N/A
The University of Auckland
2020 - 2018
- Lead tutorial sessions for an advanced statistical analysis for research in education for three consecutive semesters.
Publications, Posters, and Talks
New Zealand Students’ Test-Taking Motivation: A Quasi-Experimental Study Examining the Effects of Stakes
N/A
N/A
Pending
The Impact of Stakes on Students’ Test-taking Motivation
The ITC 12th Conference on Tests and Testing
N/A
2021
- Presentation was accepted and postponed to 2021 due to the spread of COVID-19.
Propensity Score Matching and Its Application in PISA
University of Auckland The Psychological Studies in Education and Social Work
N/A
2020
- Gave a talk on the influence of students’ conceptions of assessment on their test-taking motivation.
The Influence of Stakes on Students’ Test-taking Motivation: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Shanghai
University of Auckland Doctoral and Postgraduate Symposium
N/A
2019
- Students’ conceptions of assessment influences their test-taking motivation.
- Students reported high levels of effort expenditure regardless of test-taking stakes.